Turn off Time Display on OpenStage 40

[marker60]

I have 15 HiPath 4KV6 switches located at remote sites around the State of Alaska. They are installed at USAF stations that are run entirely on generator power and the time display on the OpenStage phones is never correct, nor is likely to EVER be! Is there a way to turn the display off?

 

[sbcsu]

The phones should take the clock from the local processor which gets it from the main site.
Is the main site clock showing correct ?

I have always found that generator power is not a great clock source (varying cycles with sawtooth output rather than pure sine wave)

I came across the same problem even on mains electricity recently but the customer was not concerned about it.

I am unable to find how to stop the clock showing on the display.

Later on and over the weekend I will check with a few V6's to see if there is anything further that is hidden and let you know.

Have you checked with HiPath provider locally ?

 

[donb01]

If I'm not mistaken, didn't I see somewhere in the system that V6 can take its time from an NTP server as well? Maybe if the system is on a connected network that would improve the accuracy if it can be done.

 

[sbcsu]

That is correct Don - it is setup on both processors if dual.
Use a stable NTP server within your network if possible.
You can specify more than one source if required.

 

[marker60]

A little clarification. When I said 'Remote', I meant 'isolated'. These are standalone installations with no connection to the outside world beyond the inbound trunks. No NTP server, no 'main site', no administrative access. I have to travel to the site via AF or charter aircraft for any maintenance actions. There is a GPS receiver on site, but it is part of a classified system and connecting to it is not permitted. It's a minor issue, to be sure, but my thinking is that if a clock is going to be displayed, it should display the correct time. Since I can't do anything about correcting it, I thought maybe I could just turn it off. Thanks for the replies. I do appreciate it!!

 

[sbcsu]

You could setup an NTP server on a PC which might have internet and use that as a clock source for the system

 

[donb01]

Well sir, if you have a little bit of a budget, here is something else for your consideration. I was trying to think of cool ways to solve your problem.

http://www.veracityglobal.com/media/54400/veracity_timenet_datasheet_wv2.0.pdf

I do not know what it costs, but would maybe guess a couple hundred bucks.

 

[donb01]

OK, $800 at B&H Photo.... But I didn't shop around that much. Guess it wasn't cheap after all.

 

[marker60]

Thanks for the replies, all. Unfortunately, any kind of internet connection is not allowed on this equipment. It has to remain isolated. $800 is not a bad solution on it's own, but times 15 sites is likely to raise a few eyebrows. There is some new equipment getting installed starting this Summer and I may convince the Customer to allow a connection to an isolated GPS receiver, if I buy the NTP option. May be the only way to implement this. Thanks again.

 

[sbcsu]

Some NTP PC Programs allow a serial/USB interface out to a local GPS for clock correction.
The PC would be local and not connected to the internet.
The program would become an NTP server in the LAN for the HiPath

 

[TIgerV]

I just made my MAT server a little NTP server, and have the servers and recorders (and the DAKS) sync time off of the MAT server. I change the MAT clock once every few months, and it's back in sync the next morning.

--TIger

 

[sbcsu]

Good Idea - and as previous you could always connect up a GPS using serial and/or USB to give more accuracy rather than the PC clock.
In most cases a TXCO - Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator is used to correct the clock drift

 

[MerlinJ]

As someone who had to deal with a freewheeling HiPath 4K V6 when IT Security wouldn't let me even connect it to an NTP server, I feel for you. Only after 2 years of customers complaining about the time, did I get to hook it up. If I remember right, mine gained a minute ever day or so, even on good clean power. I was adjusting the clock every week.